Slide closure mechanism for casting vessels for liquid metallic melts

ABSTRACT

A slide closure mechanism for casting vessels or the like, comprising a bottom block having a melt throughflow opening provided for the casting vessel, said throughflow opening including a substantially circular-shaped inlet portion. There are further provided a base plate, a movable slide plate and a discharge member cooperating with said bottom block. The base plate, movable slide plate and discharge member each have a respective opening for passage of the melt. The opening of the base plate communicates with the interior of the casting vessel via the throughflow opening of the bottom block. The opening of the base plate and the opening of the slide plate each possess a substantially elongate cross-sectional configuration, wherein the primary direction of extension of said base plate- and slide plate- openings is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the movable slide plate. The opening of the discharge member and the opening of the bottom block likewise possess a substantially elongate cross-sectional configuration at least at the regions thereof directly neighboring the slide plate and base plate, respectively. The discharge member- and bottom blockopenings at said neighboring regions likewise possessing a primary direction of extension which is substantially parallel to the primary direction of extension of the openings of the slide plate and base plate, and the cross-sectional area of the opening of the discharge member reduces in the flow direction of the melt.

atepnt [1 1 United States Tinnes et al.

n11 3,779,433 Dec. 13, 1973 [75] Inventors: Bernhard Tinnes, Zollikon;Hans Bieri, Pfaffikon, both of Switzerland [73] Assignee: Metacon AG,Zollikon, Switzerland [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.1 311,742

Related [1.5. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No 42,299, June1, 1970.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Germany 222/D1G. 7

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assislan! Examiner-David A. ScherbelAttorney-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT A slide closure mechanism forcasting vessels or the like, comprising a bottom block having a meltthroughflow opening provided for the casting vessel, said throughflowopening including a substantially circular-shaped inlet portion. Thereare further provided a base plate, a movableslide plate and a dischargemember cooperating with said bottom block. The base plate, movable slideplate and discharge member each have a respective opening for passage ofthe melt. The opening of the base plate communicates with the interiorof the casting vessel via the throughflow opening of the bottom block.The opening of the base plate and the opening of the slide plate eachpossess a substantially elongate cross-sectional configuration, whereinthe primary direction of extension of said base plateand slideplateopenings is substantially transverse to the direction of movementof the movable slide plate. The opening of the discharge member and theopening of the bottom block likewise possess a substantially elongatecross-sectional configuration at least at the regions thereof directlyneighboring the slide plate and base plate, respectively. The dischargememberand bottom blockopenings at said neighboring regions likewisepossessing a primary direction of extension which is substantiallyparallel to the primary direction of extension of the openings of theslide plate and base plate, and the cross-sectional area of the openingof the discharge member reduces in the flow direction of the melt.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures fated age PAIENTED nun 81973 SHEET 1 [F 2SHEET 2 EF 2 PATENTED [1E6 1 8 I915 SLIDE CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR CASTINGVESSELS FOR LIQUID METALLIC MlEL'IS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE Thisapplication is a continuation of our commonly assigned copending U. S.application Ser. No. 42,299, filed Jun. 1, 1970, and entitled SlideClosure Mechanism For Casting Vessels For Liquid Metallic Melts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new andimproved slide closure mechanism for a casting mechanism for a castingvessel for liquid metallic melts, typically a pouring or casting ladle.

It is well-known to those versed in the art that the refractory stonesor blocks of slide closure mechanisms, used for casting steel, possess arelatively short longevity. That is to say, after a relatively small.number of casting operations these refractorystones have to be replaced,although the stones, especially the base plate and the slide plate, areformed of high-grade material. Since such material is very expensive andmust be taken considerably into calculating when determining theoperating costs of the slide closure mechanism, attempts have been madeto get by with as small as'possible quantity of such high-graderefractory material. In order not to impair the operational reliabilityof the system, it is necessary for a given slide closure constructionand'a predetermined through-flow cross-section having typically circularconfiguration, to maintain a certain minimum cross-section andsuperimposed surfaces or surface areas in the slide direction of theslide closure mechanism. Apart from the thickness of these stones chosenwith regard to strength considerations as well as the width of suchstories required for their support and guiding, the volume of suchstones for a predetermined through-flow cross-section is only furthergoverned by their extension in the slide direction which these stones orblocks must possess in order to achieve the requisite superimposed oroverlying relationship in the open and closed relative positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of thepresent invention to provide an improvedsli'de closure mechanism forcasting vessels which effectively overcomes the aforementioneddrawbacksexperienced with the prior art constructions.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved slide closure mechanism for casting vessels or the like whichis less expensive to manufacture.

The present invention'is based upon the recognition that the volume ofthe stones or blocks can be reduced if it is possible to shorten thepath through which the movable slide stone has to pass when shiftingbetween its extreme positions.

Now, in order to implement the aforementioned objectives of the presentinvention, the inventive slide closure mechanismwhich is of the typeincorporating a base plate, a movable slide plate and a discharge, withthe opening of the base plate communicating via a through-flow openingof the bottom stone or block itself or a through-fiow opening providedat a bottom stone sleeve member with the interior of the casting vessel,.is generally manifested by'the features that the opening in the baseplate and the opening in the slide plate possess a substantiallyelongate cross-sectional configuration, the main direction of extensionof which is transverse to the slide path. Additionally, according tofurther important aspects of the invention, the through-flow opening ofthe discharge stone or block and the bottom stone or block or the bottomsleeve member likewise possess a substantially elongate crosssectionalconfiguration at least at the portions directly neighboring the slideplate and base plate, respectively, and the main direction of extensionof these lastmentioned openings of the discharge stone and bottom stoneor bottom stone sleeve member extends parallel to that of the slideplate and base plate. By virtue of the elongate configuration of thethrough-flow openings provided at the base plate and slide plate, it ispossible to appropriately shorten the path or stroke of such slideplate, thereby decreasing any possible wear thereof which may arise, andwherein the width of the stone in a direction transverse to the slidepath or track does not necessarily have to be increased. It has beenfound that, as a general rule, the slight overlappig or superimpositiontransverse to the slide track, which is provided by virtue of theelongate, especially oval or elliptical crosssectional configuration forthe same through-flow cross-section, is generally quite sufficient.

A further advantage of the elongate cross'section of the through-flowopenings providedat both plateshaped stones or blocks, which continuestowards the top also at the bottom stone sleeve and towards the bottomat the discharge sleeve, resides in the resulting compact emergingcasting jet. This phenomenon apparently is attributable to the fact thatthe elongate configuration of these openings, that is to say, a shapewhich deviates from the circular shape, opposes any tendency of theemerging casting metal jet to spin or twist.

Still a further significant advantage of the elongate cross-sectionalconfiguration of the openings under consideration also resides in theimproved control characteristics of the slide since the through-flowvaries approximately proportionally to the control path.

In the case of slide closure mechanisms where the discharge or dischargesleeve is moved along together with the slide stone or block, the castjet experiences a displacement during the control movements of theslide' stone, rendering more difficult the casting of metal into moldshaving a small cross-section. By virtue of the reduction of the slidepath, improved operation is also achieved under these conditions.

BRIEF DESCRITION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understoodand objects other than those set forth above will become apparent whenconsideration is given to the following detailed description thereof.Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings showing anexemplary embodiment of inventive slide closure mechanism, and wherein:

FIG. l is an axial sectional view through a preferred embodiment ofinventive slide closure mechanism in its open position, with only thecomponents thereof formed of refractory material being shown in fulllines:

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the slide closure mechanism depicted in FIG.)1;

. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a modified form of discharge wherein theopening thereof at the inlet side possesses a substantially ellipticalor oval cross-sectional configuration and at the outlet side asubstantially circularshaped configuration; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a variant form of discharge member wherein theopening thereof possesses the same cross-sectional shape over its entirelength, but wherein the cross-sectional area of such opening reduces inthe flow direction of the melt between the inlet side and the outletside thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now thedrawings, in FIG. 1 reference numeral 2 designates the bottom stone orblock of a casting or pouring ladle, by way of example, and denotedgenerally by reference character 4. The bottom stone or block 2 has adownwardly widening conical bore or opening 6 in which there is securedby mortar or plaster, or some other suitable material, the bottom stonesleeve member 8. Bottom stone 2 and bottom stone sleeve member 8 consistof refractory material, yet because of the greater thermal stresses orload experienced by the bottom block sleeve member-8 such is formed of amore high-grade material. The bottom block or stone sleeve member 8bears against a base plate 12 possessing a substantially oval shape inplan, as best shown by referring to FIG. 2. The same type of oval planconfiguration is also possessed by a slide plate member 14 whichcooperates with this base plate 12 to form the slide closure. The slideplate member 14 is inserted in a slide portion 16 displaceably guided ina.

slide housing 18 and actuated through the agency of any suitable drivemechanism 20. This slide housing 18, secured to the bottom of thecasting ladle in any suitable well-known manner, also possesses alikewise oval recess 22 rendering possible the introduction of thebaseplate 12 into an appropriately configured recess provided at theunderside of the casting ladle 4.

A discharge member or stone 24 merges with the slide plate member 14, asshown, and is likewise embedded in mortar and supported at the slideportion 16 and displaceable together therewith. In FIG. 1 there is shownthe use of a layer of mortar a for connecting the discharge 24 with theslide plate 14.

As will be best observed by referring to FIG. 2, the base plate 12 andthe slide plate member 14 each possess a respective through-flow opening26 and 28, having a cross-section which deviates from the circularshape. This cross-sectional configuration of the through flow openings26 and 28 can be substantially oval or elliptical, wherein the longermain or major axis of each such opening extends transversely withrespect to the direction of movement of the slide portion 16 and theslide plate member M. This direction of movement is designated in FIG. 2by the double-headed arrow 30. This oval or substantially ovalcross-sectional configuration also continues for the through-flowopening 32 of the discharge member 24; the through-flow opening portion340 of the bottom stone sleeve member 8 likewise possessing such asubstantially oval cross-sectional shape. Bottom stone sleeve member 8also has an inlet opening 34b which is substantially circular incross-section and which merges via the opening of the through-flowintermediate portion 340 with the oval or elliptical cross-sectionalshape opening 34a of the lowermost portion of this sleeve member 8.

This through-flow opening of the bottom block formed by the portions34b, 340, 34a can therefore narrow in the flow direction of the melt,and such narrowing of said throughflow opening can be realized byreducing the length of that one axis of the circular-shaped inletopening or portion 34b of the throughflow opening which is situated in aplane containing the shorter axis of the substantially elliptical oroval cross-sectional configured opening 34a of the bottom block at theinterface region neighboring the base plate.

The cross-section of the through-flow opening portion 34a preferablynarrows uniformly until merging with the through-flow opening 32 of thedischarge 24, for instance in that the longer and shorter i.e., majorand minor axes of the elliptical cross-sectional shaped openingscontinuously decrease.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention it is alsopossible to construct the throughflow opening 32 at the discharge 24 insuch a way that its oval, rectangular-shaped or elliptical cross-sectionat the inlet, that is to say, directly at the interface or point mergingwith the through-flow opening 28 of the slide plate member 14 transformsinto a circular or approximately circular cross-sectional shape at theoutlet, and specifically, in such a manner that the crosssectional arearemains constant or reduces. For instance, in FIG. 3 there isillustrated a discharge member 24 wherein the through-flow opening 32thereof possesses at the inlet side 32a substantially elliptical or ovalcross-sectional configuration and wherein the outlet portion at theoutlet side 32b thereof possesses a substantially circular-shapedconfiguration. On the other hand, FIG. 4 illustrates a further variantof such discharge member 24 wherein the through-flow 32 thereofpossesses the same cross-sectional shape over its entire length, and inthis instance will be seen to possess a substantially elliptical or ovalcross-sectional configuration both at the inlet side 32a as well as atthe outlet side 32b thereof, yet the cross-sectional area of suchopening 32 of the discharge member 24 reduces in the flow direction ofthe melt between the aforesaid inletside 32a and outlet side 32binasmuch as both the major and minor axes of the elliptical or ovalshaped opening 32 reduce in the direction of the outlet side 32b, asshown. Moreover, it is also conceivable to construct the through-flowopenings so as to possess a triangular configuration, for instancesimilar to an isosceles triangle, the altitude of which issmaller thanthe base extending transverse to the slide direction.

The inventive configuration of slide closure mechanism and the conceptsof the invention can also be utilized for slide closures of a typewherein the movable slide plate is displaced between two stationaryplates, that is to say, between the base plate and a stationary slideplate supported in the slide housing and rigidly connected with thedischarge.

Furthermore, the slide closure mechanism of the invention can also beconstructed as a rotary slide closure or as a slide closure mechanismhaving pivotable slide plate. It will be recalled that it was previouslyexplained that the bottom stone or a bottom stone sleeve member could beequipped with a through-flow opening which communicates the opening ofthe base plate with the interior of the casting vessel. Hence, theexpression bottom stone or block equipped with a through-flow opening asused herein, or analogous expressions, are intended to convey broadlyboth possibilities and therefore are not utilized in any limiting sensebut in the broader sense herein denoted.

Additionally, by'way of completness, it is here mentioned that theopening 2% of the base plate 32 and/or the opening 2% of the slide platelid can be offset in the direction of the slide path, that is thedirection of displacement of the slide member, with respect to thegeometric center of the plan surface of such respective plates,

It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description, that theobjects set forth at the outset to the specification have beensuccessfully achieved. AC- CORDINGLY,

What is claimed is:

l. A slide closure mechanism for casting vessels or the like, comprisinga bottom block having a melt throughflow opening provided for thecasting vessel, said throughflow opening including a substantiallycircular-shaped inlet portion, a base plate, a movable slide platemovable in two directions and a discharge member cooperating with saidbottom block, said base plate, movable slide plate and discharge membereach having a respective opening for passage of the melt, said openingof said base plate communicating with the interior of the casting vesselvia saidthroughflowopening of said bottom block, said opening of saidbase plate and said opening of said slide plate each possessing asubstantially elongate cross-sectional configuration, the primarydirection of extension of said base plateand slide plate-openings issubstantially transverse to the directions of movement of said movableslide plate, said opening of said discharge member and said opening ofsaid bottom block likewise possessing a substantially elongatecross-sectional configuration at least at the interface regions thereofdirectly neighboring said slide plate and base plate, respectively, saiddischarge memberand bottom blockopenings at said neighboring regionslikewise possessing a primary direction of extension which issubstantially parallel to said primary directionof extension of saidopenings of said slide plate and base plate, the cross-sectional area ofsaid opening of said discharge member reducing in the flow direction ofthe melt, said throughtlow'opening of said bottom block being defined bya bottom block sleeve member carried by said bottom block and possessingsaid circulanshaped inlet portion, said elongate cross-. sectionalconfiguration of said throughflow opening of said bottom block havingtwo axes of different length, said throughflow opening narrowing in theflow direction of the melt, and wherein narrowing of said throughflowopening is realized by reducing the length of that one axis of thecircular-shaped inlet portion of the throughflow opening which issituated in a plane containing the shorter axis of said substantiallyelongate cross-sectional configured opening of said bottom block at theregion neighboring said base plate.

2. A slide closure mechanism for casting vessels or the like, comprisinga bottom block having a melt throughflow opening provided for thecasting vessel said throughflow opening including asubstantially'circular-shaped inlet portion, a base plate, a movableslide ing of said bottom block, said opening of said base plate and saidopening of said slide plate each possessing a substantially elongatecross-sectional configuration, wherein theprimary direction of extensionof said base plateand slide plateopenings is substantially transverse tothe directions of movement of said movable slide plate, said opening ofsaid discharge member and said openingof said bottom block likewisepossessing a substantially elongate cross-sectional configuration atleast at the interface regions thereof directly neighboring said slideplate and base plate, respectively, said discharge memberand bottomblockopenings at said neighboring regions likewise possessing a primarydirection of extension which is substantially parallel to said primarydirection of extension of said openings of said slide plate and baseplate, the cross-sectional area of said opening of said discharge memberreducing in the flow direction of the melt, said opening of saiddischarge member possessing the same cross-sectional shape over itsentire length, and both axes of said opening of the discharge memberpossessing said substantially elongate cross-sectional configuration atleast at the interface region thereof neighboring said slide platesimultaneously reducing in the flow direction of the melt.

3. The slide closure mechanism as defined in claim 2, further includingmeans for rigidly connecting said discharge member with said movableslide plate.

4i. A slide closure mechanism for casting vessels or the like,comprising a bottom block equipped with a melt through-flow openingprovided for the casting vessel, said bottom block throughflow openingincluding an inlet portion and an outlet portion, said throughflowopening possessing a substantially circular-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration at the region of said inlet portion, the length of atleast one of the axes of said throughflow opening reducing in the flowdirection of the melt in the direction of said outlet portion, tothereby define a substantially elliptical-shaped throughflow opening atthe region of said outlet portion, a base plate, a movable slide platemovable in two directions and a discharge member cooperating with saidbottom block, said base plate, movable slide plate and discharge membereach having a respective opening for'passage of the melt, said openingof said base plate communicating with the interior of the casting vesselvia said throught'low opening of said bottom block, said opening of saidbase plate and said opening of said slide plate each possessing asubstantially elliptical cross-sectional. configuration, wherein themajor axis of said elliptical-shaped openings of said base plate platemovable in two directions and a discharge mem- I ber cooperating withsaid bottom block, said base plate, movable slide plate and dischargemember each having a respective opening for passage of the melt, saidopening of said base plate communicating with the interior of thecasting vessel via said throughflow openand slide plate extend in adirection which is substantially transverse to the directions ofmovement of said movable slide plate, said opening of said dischargemember likewise possessing a substantially elliptical cross-sectionalconfiguration at least at the region thereof directly neighboring saidslide plate, said respective elliptical-shaped openings of saiddischarge member and bottom block likewise possessing a major axis whichextends substantially parallel with respect to the respective major axisof each of said ellipticalshaped openingsof said slide plate and baseplate, said discharge member having an outlet portion approaching acircular-shaped configuration, the cross-sectional area of said openingof said discharge member reducing in the flow direction of the melt, andwherein the crosssectional area of the opening of the discharge memberwherein the decrease of the major axis of the opening of the dischargemember is a function of the increasing distance from the interfacebetween the discharge member and the slide plate.

1. A slide closure mechanism for casting vessels or the like, comprisinga bottom block having a melt throughflow opening provided for thecasting vessel, said throughflow opening including a substantiallycircular-shaped inlet portion, a base plate, a movable slide platemovable in two directions and a discharge member cooperating with saidbottom block, said base plate, movable slide plate and discharge membereach having a respective opening for passage of the melt, said openingof said base plate communicating with the interior of the casting vesselvia said throughflow opening of said bottom block, said opening of saidbase plate and said opening of said slide plate each possessing asubstantially elongate cross-sectional configuration, the primarydirection of extension of said base plate- and slide plate-openings issubstantially transverse to the directions of movement of said movableslide plate, said opening of said discharge member and said opening ofsaid bottom block likewise possessing a substantially elongatecrosssectional configuration at least at the interface regions thereofdirectly neighboring said slide plate and base plate, respectively, saiddischarge member- and bottom block- openings at said neighboring regionslikewise possessing a primary direction of extension which issubstantially parallel to said primary direction of extension of saidopenings of said slide plate and base plate, the cross-sectional area ofsaid opening of said discharge member reducing in the flow direction ofthe melt, said throughflow opening of said bottom block being defined bya bottom block sleeve member carried by said bottom block and possessingsaid circular-shaped inlet portion, said elongate cross-sectionalconfiguration of said throughflow opening of said bottom block havingtwo axes of different length, said throughflow opening narrowing in theflow direction of the melt, and wherein narrowing of said throughflowopening is realized by reducing the length of that one axis of thecircular-shaped inlet portion of the throughflow opening which issituated in a plane containing the shorter axis of said substantiallyelongate crosssectional configured opening of said bottom block at theregion neighboring said base plate.
 2. A slide closure mechanism forcasting vessels or the like, comprising a bottom block having a meltthroughflow opening provided for the casting vessel , said throughflowopening including a substantially circular-shaped inlet portion, a baseplate, a movable slide plate movable in two directions and a dischargemember cooperating with said bottom block, said base plate, movableslide plate and discharge member each having a respective opening forpassage of the melt, said opening of said base plate communicating withthe interior of the casting vessel via said throughflow opening of saidbottom block, said opening of said base plate and said opening of saidslide plate each possessing a substantially elongate cross-sectionalconfiguration, wherein the primary direction of extension of said baseplate- and slide plate- openings is substantially transverse to thedirections of movement of said movable slide plate, said opening of saiddischarge member and said opening of said bottom block likewisepossessing a substantially elongate cross-sectional configuration atleast at the interface regions thereof directly neighboring said slideplate and base plate, respectively, said discharge member- and bottomblock- openings at said neighboring regions likewise possessing aprimary direction of extension which is substantially parallel to saidprimary direction of extension of said openings of said slide plate andbase plate, the cross-sectional area of said opening of said dischargemember reducing in the flow direction of the melt, said opening of saiddischarge member possessing the same cross-sectional shape over itsentire length, and both axes of said opening of the discharge memberpossessing said substantially elongate cross-sectional configuration atleast at the interface region thereof neighboring said slide platesimultaneously reducing in the flow direction of the melt.
 3. The slideclosure mechanism as defined in claim 2, further including means forrigidly connecting said discharge member with said movable slide plate.4. A slide closure mechanism for casting vessels or the like, comprisinga bottom block equipped with a melt through-flow opening provided forthe casting vessel, said bottom block throughflow opening including aninlet portion and an outlet portion, said throughflow opening possessinga substantially circular-shaped cross-sectional configuration at theregion of said inlet portion, the length of at least one of the axes ofsaid throughflow opening reducing in the flow direction of the melt inthe direction of said outlet portion, to thereby define a substantiallyelliptical-shaped throughflow opening at the region of said outletportion, a base plate, a movable slide plate movable in two directionsand a discharge member cooperating with said bottom block, said baseplate, movable slide plate and discharge member each having a respectiveopening for passage of the melt, said opening of said base platecommunicating with the interior of the casting vessel via saidthroughflow opening of said bottom block, said opening of said baseplate and said opening of said slide plate each possessing asubstantially elliptical cross-sectional configuration, wherein themajor axis of said elliptical-shaped openings of said base plate andslide plate extend in a direction which is substantially transverse tothe directions of movement of said movable slide plate, said opening ofsaid discharge member likewise possessing a substantially ellipticalcross-sectional configuration at least at the region thereof directlyneighboring said slide plate, said respective elliptical-shaped openingsof said discharge member and bottom block likewise possessing a majoraxis which extends substantially parallel with respect to the respectivemajor axis of each of said elliptical-shaped openings of said slideplate and base plate, said discharge member having an outlet portionapproaching a circular-shaped configuration, the cross-sectional area ofsaid opening of said discharge member reducing in the flow direction ofthe melt, and wherein the cross-sectional area of the opening of thedischarge member reduces in the flow direction of the melt by virtue ofthe fact that the major axis thereof decreases in size in the directionof the outlet portion approaching said circular-shaped configuration. 5.The slide closure mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein the decreaseof the major axis of the opening of the discharge member is a functionof the increasing distance from the interface between the dischargemember and the slide plate.